What Is The Point? A Young Person’s Perspective On The Earth, And Climate Change (Guest Post)

“What’s the point (in learning), the world and everything on it is going to die anyway.”

This was a comment from a young lady to me yesterday. She is intelligent, independent and thoughtful. Someone who is much older in their thinking than their age. I would gladly talk to her about her opinions on anything.

What struck me was the fact that she is right. If what we read about climate change is to be extrapolated to the extreme, she will not have a future. I may do, if limited.

She indicated that the world is looking to their generation to fix things. That should not be the case. It is my generation who will fix it. We need the mass mobilization of people to apply pressures to governments and corporations.

An individual can change their habits but a population needs complete system change, which doesn’t happen overnight. Afterwards, I was upset at her comments as we may only have a limited time, so we need to make a difference.

I wanted to know more about her perceptions of the world, so asked if I could interview her for this blog. Here is our conversation, almost verbatim:

“What’s the point (in learning), the world and everything on it is going to die anyway.”

Why did you say that?

It’s just a fact.

How do you know it’s a fact?

Everything dies eventually.

In the current climate, do you think we are on a more rapid course for this?

Yes, because no one is taking action about anything. They are just speaking about it.

What do you think the biggest potential challenges are to the Earth?

Mass production of items, plastic crap, stuff that is not needed or that is just used for 5 months and then is gone.

What can we do?

Have laws to stop certain companies (e.g. McDonalds) making items that are not needed (e.g. items with happy meals).

What can we as individuals?

If you don’t need it then don’t buy it. Use substitutes like metal containers for water in place of plastic bottles.

What would you like to happen in the next ten years?

The world to be more environmentally friendly. Countries to be less economically motivated around money.

Who should be taking action now?

Leaders of countries. If there are no countries left then they will not be leaders any more and they would have failed in their role.

Who are the current champions of this?

Scandinavian countries. Organisations that do stuff, but it is not big enough, it is under the surface.

(At this point I was thinking about Greenpeace, Extinction Rebellion, The Green Party etc)

What organisations do you think they are?

Don’t know

Why do you not know about them?

They are not causing enough effect for people to know. Drastic action is needed rather than little things if we only have 11 years left.

Why do you think not enough people know about these organisations or know what is happening with climate change in the world?

I think everyone knows about climate change. They are doing a few things but not enough. For example electric cars are being produced but not enough. They also need to manufacture the power for them.

Did you know Indonesia is on fire?

No, because Australia is a bigger newsflash at the moment. Is it really on fire?

(we discussed this for a moment)

Do you think part of the problem is our news coverage?

Yes. You can tell that the news sometimes covers stuff up by putting unnecessary stuff on there instead.

Ultimately what you think will happen to our Earth?

It is going to start to rot.

How do you feel about that?

It’s sad because the human race will go with it too and that has not clocked into everyone’s minds yet. The whole Earth will look like the industrial revolution – concrete and darkness.

What would you like to do about it?

I care about it but there are only limited things you can do: solar panels, not using plastics, cut down on meat and dairy. I would cut down on eating meat, and would like to go vegetarian. The meat production is too massive.

All we have is the moment. Nothing is forever. We have to work hard to make our limited time – all of us – as good as we can make it – for ourselves, the ones we love, all people and the rest of life on this planet.

I am going to be 60 years old in May. Let me tell you that I have been hearing this “What is the point” since I was at least 10 years old. The kids who started smoking cigarettes when we were pre-teens all said that too … the world is filled with pollution, we’re all going to die, what’s the point! The thing is, now they’ve all got COPD or some other lung ailment & this COVID-19 thing is a real issue!

Nobody knows the future. Nobody at all. I had no idea when I was 10 years old that I would be living to the age of 60. I had no idea that I would be living alone. I remember when everyone said I would be dead by the age of 30 because I was such a partier. Guess what? I got sober & I’m still alive! Nobody knows the future.

The one thing I CAN tell you FOR SURE is that life is NOT going to be like it’s now … in 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, whatever. It’s constantly changing. I’ve kept a diary since I was 10 & it’s a joy (sometimes) to read it & see what has changed … & what hasn’t.

The point is … to live your life as well as you can. To do the best you can. To love as many people as you can. That’s all. That’s the only point there is. & it really isn’t a point. It’s just how it is.

Thank you! This is really valuable coming from you! This is the kind of message that it would be very helpful to spread 😄. You are so absolutely right, that nobody can know the future! Look how bleak things were looking with CFCs and the ozone hole— that was ONE scary problem!

And this is re-assuring, since your philosophy matches the one that I have developed! I’m on the right track 😁.

I am choosing to view this coronavirus situation, as a perfect opportunity for a dry-run of the world working together on a global problem… and, we may just come out of it with a greater appreciation of smaller things, and realise that we need to travel less. I think the potential positive effects of the coronavirus situation, is exactly the kind of reason why you just cannot predict the future!

“Let me tell you that I have been hearing this « What is the point » since I was at least 10 years old”

Wow, very interesting and useful to know! Makes you want to laugh, doesn’t it.

Reading this gave me a thought. We ARE waiting for the next generation to do some thing, and that’s not fair to them. In reality, we all need to be making strides and changing our habits, including putting more pressure on our governments to care.

Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
I GUESS THAT DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH “CLIMATE CHANGE” PROPAGANDA YOU’VE BEEN FORCE-FED FROM BIRTH—DO YOU KNOW THAT THIS CURRENT GENERATION HAS THE HIGHEST OR NEARLY THE HIGHEST) SUICIDE RATES? WHEN TAUGHT THERE IS ONLY MANIPULATION….!!!! 😦

Although the climate situation is scary, I do believe that if we all make changes to our habits we can make a difference. Just look at some of the positive environmental changes happening while we are social distancing. I’m hopeful we’ll keep moving in the right direction!

Really thought provoking post. I am fascinated by how aware and self-aware my children are, far more than I was at their age. This gives me hope, but I am also concerned that we are all too stuck in our ways to make the changes that are needed. Recycling, buying local, carbon offsetting are little steps in the right direction but aren’t radical enough to make the difference which would start to reverse the damage which we are all doing.

It has certainly become one of the most antagonising thing for people. They will be like reading about starving polar bears on their smartphones in one hand while holding on to their disposable coffee cup or a cigarette bud in other. This topic is so very sensitive yet on the contrary people are equally ignorant. And perhaps its not totally their fault.. the effects of climate change is still redundant as compared to other typical issues be it related to economy, finance, society, security, bla bla….. and moreover it never gets the appropriate media and political acknowledgment that it deserves.. you are more likely to hear from critically acclaimed media and politicians (especially in a country where i live) squabbling about some trivial and bullshit issue… once in a blue moon, you can expect to come across something relatable… I wonder what prophetic time are we waiting for to rise above our collective narcissism and personal endeavours… The clock perhaps might be ticking for us but the planet will still resolutely move about…
Its so good to see that elderly people like the ones you mentioned above are atleast concerned enough to mention about it in their dealings while the young ones are living in ecstasy having their happy meal and choco latte…